Zanu PF yesterday engineered the expulsion of three key MPs purged from the party for their alleged links to ousted Vice-President Joice Mujuru as it continues with its brutal programme to reassert President Robert Mugabe’s control.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
Ray Kaukonde, once singled out by First Lady Grace Mugabe as the Mujuru faction cog, lost his Marondera East seat.
Before Grace’s crusade against Mujuru late last year culminating in the ouster of Mugabe’s long-time deputy, Kaukonde was considered a Zanu PF godfather in Mashonaland East.
He was accused of oiling the Mujuru camp, which Zanu PF claims was close to seizing State power and controlling the ruling party.
The other causalities were Mwenezi East MP Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and David Butau (Mbire).
National Assembly Acting Speaker Melody Dziva told the House that Zanu PF had notified Parliament through a letter that the three had ceased to represent the ruling party’s interests.
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“I would like to announce vacancies in the National Assembly because on June 11, I was notified by Zanu PF that Bhasikiti, Kaukonde and Butau have ceased to be members of Zanu PF and, therefore, no longer represent the interests of the party,” Dziva said.
She said the move was in line with Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution, which empowers political parties to recall their representatives.
Dziva said the fact that Bhasikiti and Butau had both sought court interdicts against their impending expulsions could not stop the axe from falling on them.
“That cannot stop the Speaker from exercising his duty as he is not bound by a Constitutional Court application which has not yet been granted,” Dziva said.
“Notification by the party is all that is required at law to declare the seats vacant.”
Bhasikiti was in the House when Dziva made the announcement and simply walked out seemingly unfazed.
Zanu PF has fired several top officials allegedly linked to a plot to oust Mugabe through an assassination.
A number of legislators were living on borrowed time after they were suspended from holding positions in the party for three years, but Kaukonde, Bhasikiti and Butau’s fate was sealed after they were expelled from the party.
Mujuru has denied allegations she plotted against Mugabe and has demanded her day in court for the array of charges laid against her by the party leading to her expulsion.
